Hieronymus machine

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Hieronymus machines were the ostensible invention of Dr. Thomas Galen Hieronymus (21 November 1895 – 1988). As explained mostly by Astounding Science Fiction editor John W. Campbell in late 1950s and early 1960s editorials, Hieronymus machines were mock-ups of real machines (patented by their inventor) which allegedly worked by analogy or symbolism, being directed by psi or ESP powers.

As an example, one could create a receiver or similar device, with prisms and vacuum tubes represented by their cardboard or even schematic representations. Through the use of mental powers, such a machine would function as would its “real” equivalent. Campbell claimed that such machines actually did perform this way, but the concept was never taken seriously elsewhere or followed through on in later years.

[edit] References

• Campbell, John W. Jr. “Psionic Machine — Type One”, Astounding Science Fiction, June 1956, pp. 97-108.
• Campbell, John W. Jr. “Correction and Further Data on the Hieronymous Machine”, Astounding Science Fiction, August 1956, pp.112-114.
• Goodavage, Jospeh ; “An Interview with T. Galen Hieronymus”, Analog Science Fiction, January 1977.
• U.S. Patent #2,482,773